Wrapping apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for applying a material, such as stretch wrap, to a pallet stacked with objects is provided. Conventional pallet wrapping is labor intensive, causes back injuries, repetitive stress injuries and other work related injuries to users/operators. By contrast, the apparatus of the present invention is portable, light-weight, easy to use and reduces the risk of work place injuries. The apparatus includes an elongated handle having a first end and a second end and a retaining mechanism mounted on the elongated handle for securing a roll of material to the handle. The retaining mechanism includes a first retaining member secured to the first end of the elongated handle and a second retaining member secured to the second end of the elongated handle, where the roll of material is located between the roll of material.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §119

The present Application for Patent claims priority to ProvisionalApplication No. 60/956,697 entitled “Wrapping Apparatus”, filed Aug. 18,2007 and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a wrapping apparatus for applyingstretch wrap over and/or around objects, particularly objects and/orgoods stacked on a pallet.

BACKGROUND

Stretch wrap is a highly stretchable plastic film that is wrapped aroundobjects, goods and/or items. It is frequently used to unitize palletloads but also may be used for bundling smaller items. In palletunitizing, stretch wrap improves stability of products or packages,provides some degree of dust and moisture protection as well as somedegree of tamper resistance and resistance to package pilferage.

In one prior art approach, stretch wrap is manually applied to pallets.The stretch wrap is commonly supplied in a long roll, weighing 8-10pounds, from which the material is dispensed by unwinding from the roll.As it is unwound, the material is pulled or stretched against the goodson the pallet to which it is being applied. To wrap the lower portion ofthe pallet, a user/operator walks around the pallet hunched overmanipulating the heavy roll while also trying to pull enough tensioninto the film to hold the pallet together. Then seconds later, theuser/operator is holding the same roll of stretch film above his head towrap the top of the pallet, again tugging on the film using his back andarm muscles. This procedure is not only labor intensive but causes backinjuries, repetitive stress injuries and other work related injuries tooperators.

In another prior art approach, stretch wrap is applied using anautomated machine. However, automated machines are expensive and arestationary. Pallets must be brought to the machine and the machine isunable to wrap the top of the pallet, i.e. the top of the objectsstacked on the pallet. As such, the user/operator still has to wrap thetop portion of the pallet manually. Furthermore, the pallets sit on arotatable base of the automated machine and rotate around the stationaryroll of stretch wrap. The size of the rotatable base limits the size ofthe pallet that can be wrapped. Furthermore, automated machines are notportable and require a fairly complicated elevating machine which mustbe used in order to raise or lower the height of the stretch filmapplication.

Consequently, an apparatus for applying stretch wrap is needed that isportable, light-weight, easy to use and prevents work related injuries.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for applying amaterial, such as stretch wrap, to a pallet stacked with objects isprovided. Conventional pallet wrapping is labor intensive, causes backinjuries, repetitive stress injuries and other work related injuries tousers/operators. By contrast, the present invention provides anapparatus that is portable, light-weight, easy to use and reduces therisk of work place injuries.

The wrapping apparatus of the present invention includes an elongatedhandle having a first end and a second end and a retaining mechanismmounted on the elongated handle for securing a roll of material to theelongated handle. The retaining mechanism includes a first retainingmember secured to the first end of the elongated handle; a secondretaining member secured to the second end of the elongated handle; anda lock pin, inserted into the elongated handle adjacent to andcontacting the first retaining member for securing the first retainingmember to the elongated handle.

The first retaining member includes a sleeve; a washer adjacent to andcontacting the sleeve, the washer having a center opening sized toaccommodate the elongated handle; and a retaining pin adjacent to andcontacting the washer and inserted into the elongated handle forretaining the sleeve and washer on the elongated handle.

The sleeve may include an outer ring for supporting a bottom end of theroll of material; and an inner ring, adjacent to and contacting theouter ring, adapted for insertion into an opening on the bottom end theroll of material to secure the sleeve to the roll of material.

The second retaining member may include a sleeve which may include anouter ring for supporting a bottom end of the roll of material; and aninner ring, adjacent to and contacting the outer ring, adapted forinsertion into an opening on the bottom end the roll of material tosecure the sleeve to the roll of material; a first washer, adjacent toand contacting the sleeve, having a first center opening sized toaccommodate the elongated handle; a first retaining pin adjacent to andcontacting the washer and inserted into the elongated handle for holdingthe washer in place; and a spring mounted on the elongated handledirectly adjacent to and contacting the first washer for adjustingtension of the roll of material as it is dispensed.

Additionally, the second retaining member may include a second washermounted on the elongated handle adjacent to and contacting the spring,the second washer having a second center opening sized to accommodatethe elongated handle; and a removable pin inserted into the elongatedhandle adjacent to the second washer for retaining the spring and secondwasher on the elongated handle.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the wrapping apparatus mayalso include a cover mounted on the elongated handle over the secondretaining member, the cover having a ever for adjusting the tension inthe spring wherein the tension in the spring is decreased upon a userdepressing the lever.

A method of using a wrapping apparatus to wrap objects and/or goodsstacked on a pallet may include the steps of: placing a first end of thewrapping apparatus next to an object such that a roll of material isaligned with a bottom of the object, a user holding a second end of thewrapping apparatus; securing one end of the material to a corner of theobject; moving the wrapping apparatus around the object resulting in thematerial covering a part of the object; inverting the wrappingapparatus, when approximately half of the object has been covered by thematerial and continuing to move the wrapping apparatus around the objectto cover uncovered portions of the object; and tearing the materialwrapped around the object from the roll for securing to the object,thereby sealing the object.

The foregoing, together with other features and advantages of thepresent invention, will become more apparent when referring to thefollowing specification, claims and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features of the present invention will be better understood fromthe following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in whichlike reference numerals refer to like parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a wrapping apparatus, according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a sleeve utilized in a wrappingapparatus, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a sleeve utilized in a wrappingapparatus, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a washer utilized in a wrappingapparatus, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a washer utilized in a wrappingapparatus, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a pin utilized in a wrappingapparatus, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a spring utilized in a wrappingapparatus, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a lock pin utilized in a wrappingapparatus, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of a wrapping apparatus having a cover,according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of a cover of a retaining mechanism of awrapping apparatus, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of a cover of a retaining mechanism of awrapping apparatus, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a method of using a wrappingapparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be takenin a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustratingthe general principles of the invention.

In the following description, certain terminology is used to describecertain features of one or more embodiments of the invention. The term“roll” refers to any type of material for packaging an object, includingstretch wrap, shrink film, shrink wrap, plastic, tear tape, ream wrap,etc. The term “object” refers to any type of item that is capable ofbeing wrapped in stretch wrap or other material, including products,packages, goods.

One aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for applying stretchwrap to a pallet stacked with objects. Conventional pallet wrapping islabor intensive, causes back injuries, repetitive stress injuries andother work related injuries to users/operators. By contrast, the presentinvention provides an apparatus that is portable, light-weight, easy touse and reduces the risk of work place injuries.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a wrapping apparatus 100, for wrappinga pallet stacked with objects in a material, such as stretch wrap,according to one embodiment of the present invention. The wrappingapparatus 100 includes an elongated handle 102 and first and secondretaining members 110 and 112. A roll 104 of stretch wrap, which iscomprised of a rigid tube (not shown) and a sheet of stretch wrap woundonto the rigid tube, is mounted on the elongated handle 102 between thefirst retaining member 110 and the second retaining member 112.

In one embodiment, the elongated handle 102 includes a first end 103which may be placed onto the ground to assist a user/operator inwrapping a pallet (or other item) and a second end 105 which functionsas a gripping area for the user/operator. The first retaining member110, secured to the first end 103 of the elongated handle 102, includesa sleeve 114, a washer 116 and a pin 118. The washer 116, having acenter opening sized to accommodate the elongated handle 102, is placedonto the elongated handle 102 adjacent to the pin 118, which is insertedinto the first end 103 of the elongated handle 102 for holding thewasher 116 in place. The pin 118 may be removable or may be permanentlysecured to the elongated handle 102.

In one embodiment, the bottom of the sleeve 114 is located 2.5 inchesfrom the bottom of the first end 103 of the elongated handle 102. 2.5inches is preferred as the bottom of the roll 104 will then be at thesame height as the top surface of the pallet stacked with goods orobjects. This allows the user/operator to wrap the bottom portion of apallet without having to hunch or bend over. However, the sleeve 114 maybe located at any suitable distance.

The sleeve 114, which includes an outer ring 115 for supporting a baseor lower end 108 of the roll 104, an inner ring 117 for insertion intoone end of the rigid tube in the roll 104 and an opening (as shown inFIG. 3) sized to accommodate the elongated handle 102 passing through,is attached to the washer 116.

Once the roll 104 has been mounted onto the elongated handle 102 andmounted on the first retaining member 110, the second retaining member112 is mounted onto the elongated handle 102 on top of the upper end 106of the roll 104, securing the roll 104 to the elongated handle 102. Thesecond retaining member 112 includes a sleeve 120, a first washer 122, aspring 124, a second washer 126 and a lock pin 128. The sleeve 120,which includes an outer ring 121, an inner ring 123 for insertion into atop end of the rigid tube in the roll 104 and an opening (as shown inFIG. 3) sized to accommodate the elongated handle 102 passing through,is attached to the top of the roll 104.

The first washer 122, having a center opening sized to accommodate theelongated handle 102, is mounted onto the elongated handle 102 on top ofthe sleeve 120. A spring 124 is mounted on the elongated handle 102directly adjacent to and contacting the first washer 122 to allow theoperator to adjust the tension of the wrap being dispensed from theapparatus 100. The second washer 126, having a center opening sized toaccommodate the elongated handle 102, is mounted on the elongated handle102 adjacent to and contacting the spring 124. Next, the lock pin 128 isinserted into the elongated handle 102 to secure the second retainingmember 112 to the elongated handle 102 and create tension in the spring124. The spring creates tension on the stretch wrap 104 which holds itin place. Finally, a cover (shown with reference to FIG. 9) is placedover the second retaining member 112. The user/operator may adjust thetension of the spring 124 using a lever on the cover. Increased tensionmay allow the stretch wrap to be dispensed or unwound slowly whiledecreased tension may allow the stretch wrap to be dispensed or unwoundmore quickly. In other words, by adjusting the tension, theuser/operator may customize the speed in which the stretch wrap may beunwound.

In the preferred embodiment, the length of the wrapping apparatus is 57inches. However, this dimension is by way of example only and anysuitable dimension may be used.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a sleeve 200, according to oneembodiment of the present invention. The sleeve 200 includes an outerring 202 which contacts an end of a roll of stretch wrap and an innerring 204 for insertion into an opening of a rigid tube in an end of theroll of stretch wrap. In one embodiment, the height of the outer andinner rings 202 and 204 is ⅜ inches. These dimensions are by way ofexample only and any suitable dimensions may be used.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a sleeve 300, according to oneembodiment of the present invention. The sleeve 300 includes an outerring 302 which contacts an end of a roll of stretch wrap, an inner ring304 for insertion into an opening of a rigid tube in an end of the rollof stretch wrap and a center opening 306 sized to accommodate anelongated handle passing through it. In one embodiment, the diameter ofthe outer ring 302 is 3.5 inches, the diameter of the inner ring 304 is3 inches and the diameter of the center opening 306 is 15/16 inches.These dimensions are by way of example only and any suitable dimensionsmay be used.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a washer 400, according to oneembodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the height ofthe washer 400 may be ⅛ inches. This dimension is by way of example onlyand any suitable dimension may be used.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a washer 500 according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. The washer 500 includes a center opening 502 sized toaccommodate an elongated handle passing through it, as described above.In one embodiment, the diameter of the washer 500 is 2.5 inches and thediameter of the center opening 502 is 1 1/16 inches. These dimensionsare by way of example only and any suitable dimensions may be used.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a pin 600, according to one embodimentof the present invention. The pin 600, having an elongated member 602and a head 604, may be used to secure a washer (as described above withreference to FIG. 1) to an elongated handle. The elongated member 602may be inserted into the elongated handle until the head 604 of the pinis abutting the elongated handle. In one embodiment, the length of thepin is 2.25 inches and the diameter of the elongated member is 0.25inches. These dimensions are by way of example only and any suitabledimensions may be used.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a spring 700, according to oneembodiment of the present invention. The spring 700 allows auser/operator of a wrapping apparatus to increase or decrease tension ofthe wrap being dispensed from the wrapping apparatus. As is describedbelow, the spring 700 may be connected to a lever on a cover of thewrapping apparatus. The tension in the spring is directly proportionalto the pressure applied to the lever. The user/operator manuallydepresses the lever to overcome the force applied by the spring allowingthe stretch wrap, or other material, to be more easily dispensed orunwound from the roll.

In one embodiment, the length of the spring 700 maybe 4.25 inches, theouter diameter of the spring is 1.25 inches and the inner diameter ofthe spring is 1 inch. These dimensions are by way of example only andany suitable dimensions may be used.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a lock pin 800, according to oneembodiment of the present invention. The lock pin 800 includes anelongated member 802 and a locking mechanism having one end secured toone side of the elongated member 802 and an opposite end secured to theopposite side of the elongated member 802 once it is inserted into anelongated handle of a wrapping apparatus of the present invention. Theelongated member 802 is inserted into the elongated handle and securedwith the locking mechanism 804 to prevent the lock pin 800 from fallingout which in turn retains the spring and retaining mechanism (asdescribed above) on the elongated handle. In one embodiment, the lengthof the pin is 2.25 inches and the diameter of the pin is 0.25 inches.These dimensions are by way of example only and any suitable dimensionsmay be used.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of a wrapping apparatus 900, for wrappinga pallet, stacked with objects, in stretch wrap or other material,according to one embodiment of the present invention. The wrappingapparatus 900 includes an elongated handle 902 and first and secondretaining members 910 and 912. A roll 904 of stretch wrap, which iscomprised of a rigid tube (not shown) and a sheet of stretch wrap woundonto the rigid tube, is mounted on the elongated handle 902 between thefirst retaining member 910 and the second retaining member 912.

In one embodiment, the elongated handle 902 includes a first end 903which may be placed onto the ground to assist a user/operator inwrapping a pallet (stacked with objects) and a second end 905 whichfunctions as a gripping area for the user/operator. The first retainingmember 910, secured to the first end 903 of the elongated handle 902,includes a sleeve 914, a washer 916 and a pin 918. The washer 916,having a center opening sized to accommodate the elongated handle 902,is placed onto the elongated handle 902 adjacent to the pin 918, whichis inserted into the first end 903 of the elongated handle 902 forholding the washer 916 in place. The pin 918 may be removable or may bepermanently secured to the elongated handle 902.

In one embodiment, the bottom of the sleeve 914 is located 2.5 inchesfrom the bottom of the first end 903 of the elongated handle 902. 2.5inches is preferred as the bottom of the roll 904 will then be at thesame height as the top surface of the pallet stacked with goods (orobjects). This allows the user/operator to wrap the bottom portion of apallet without having to hunch or bend over. However, the sleeve 914 maybe located at any suitable distance.

The sleeve 914, which includes an outer ring 915 for supporting a baseor lower end 908 of the roll 904, an inner ring 917 for insertion intoone end of the rigid tube in the roll 904 and an opening (as shown inFIG. 3) sized to accommodate the elongated handle 902 passing through,is attached to the washer 916.

Once the roll 904 has been mounted on the elongated handle 902 andmounted onto the first retaining member 910, the second retaining member912 is mounted onto the elongated handle 902 on top of the upper end 906of the roll 904, securing the roll 904 to the elongated handle 902. Thesecond retaining member 912 includes a sleeve 920, a first washer 922, aspring 924, a second washer 926 and a lock pin 928. The sleeve 920,which includes an outer ring 921, an inner ring 923 for insertion into atop end of the rigid tube in the roll 904 and an opening (as shown inFIG. 3) sized to accommodate the elongated handle 902 passing through,is attached to the top 906 of the roll 904.

The first washer 922, having a center opening sized to accommodate theelongated handle 902, is mounted onto the elongated handle 902 on top ofthe sleeve 920. The spring 924 is mounted on the elongated handle 902directly adjacent to and contacting the first washer 922 to allow theuser/operator to adjust the tension of the wrap being dispensed from theapparatus 900. The second washer 926, having a center opening sized toaccommodate the elongated handle 902, is mounted onto the elongatedhandle 902 adjacent to and contacting the spring 924. Next, the lock pin928 is inserted into the elongated handle 902 to secure the secondretaining member 912 to the elongated handle 902 and create tension inthe spring 924. The spring 924 creates tension on the stretch wrap whichholds it in place. A cover 930 is placed over the second retainingmember 912. The cover 930 includes a lever (as shown in FIG. 11) forallowing the user/operator to adjust the tension in the stretch wrap asit is dispensed from the wrapping apparatus 900.

In the preferred embodiment, the length of the wrapping apparatus is 57inches so that the user/operator can wrap objects from ground level toover his head without having to bend over or stretch. However, thisdimension is by way of example only and any suitable dimension may beused.

FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of a cover 1000 of a retaining mechanism,according to one embodiment of the present invention. The cover 1000includes a center opening 1002 sized to accommodate an elongated handlepassing through it. In one embodiment, the diameter of the centeropening 1002 is 15/16 inches and the diameter of the cover 1000 is 4.0inches. These dimensions are by way of example only and any suitabledimensions may be used. Although the cover 1000 is shown as circular,any shape of cover may be utilized, including but not limited to oval,rectangular, square, etc.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of a cover 1100 of a retainingmechanism, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Thecover 1100 includes a center opening 1104 sized to accommodate anelongated handle passing through and a lever 1102 for adjusting thetension in a spring, as described above. The user/operator manuallydepresses the lever 1102 to overcome the force applied by the springallowing the stretch wrap to be more easily dispensed or unwound fromthe roll.

In one embodiment, the length of the cover 1100 is 4.75 inches; thewidth or diameter of the cover is 4.0 inches and the width of the leveris 1⅞ inches. These dimensions are by way of example only and anysuitable dimensions may be used.

The elongated handle may be constructed of any suitable material such aswood, plastic or metal, such as aluminum.

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a method of using a wrappingapparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. First,a user/operator stands erect holding the second end of the elongatedhandle such that the first end of the elongated handle is on the groundand the roll of material, such as stretch wrap, is aligned with thebottom of the goods/objects, which may or may not be located on a pallet1202. The user/operator then hooks the loose end of the stretch wrap toa corner of the pallet 1204 and walks around the pallet several timesdispensing the stretch wrap and stretching it over the goods/objects1206. This fuses the stretch wrap to the pallet and the goods/objects onthe pallet. When the user/operator has wrapped approximately half of thegoods/objects on the pallet, the apparatus is inverted (i.e. the secondend of the elongated handle is now on the ground and the first end ofthe elongated handle is now in the hands of the operator) 1208. Theuser/operator then continues to walk around the pallet stacked withgoods/objects dispensing the stretch wrap and stretching it over the topside surfaces of the goods/objects; the roll is approximately chest high1210. Upon reaching the top surface of the goods on the pallet, theelongated handle is again inverted so that the second end of theelongated handle is back in the hands of the user/operator 1212 allowingthe user/operator to lift the apparatus over his head to wrap the topsurface of the goods on the pallet 1214, thus environmentally sealingthe entire goods/objects on the pallet. Finally, the stretch wrap issevered (or torn) from the remaining material on the roll so that thewrapping apparatus may be set aside and the end of the material may befused to the pallet so that if the pallet tips over, the goods/objectsshould not move 1216.

Although the method described with reference to FIG. 12 is describedwith reference to the objects and/or goods stacked on a pallet, thewrapping apparatus is equally applicable for wrapping objects and/orgoods not stacked on a pallet.

Advantageously, the wrapping apparatus according to embodiments of thepresent application may provide numerous mechanisms to prevent workrelated injuries. First, users/operators do not have to apply thestretch wrap by walking around the pallet hunched over manipulating theheavy roll while also trying to pull enough tension into the film tohold the pallet together. By positioning the roll 2.5 inches from thefirst end of the elongated handle as the height of a pallet is 2.5inches, the user/operator does not have to hunch or bend over to wrapthe bottom portion of goods stacked on a pallet. Also, the user/operatormay invert the wrapping apparatus to wrap the top of the pallet, or thegoods on stacked on the pallet, instead of holding the same roll ofstretch film above his head to wrap the top of the pallet while tuggingon the film using his back and arm muscles. Additionally, theuser/operator does not have to continually hold the weight of the rollof stretch wrap; the elongate handle supports the weight of the roll. Asa result of these mechanisms, the physical problems associated with thejob of wrapping a pallet, such as back and hip injuries, may beeliminated.

Furthermore, the wrapping apparatus according to embodiments of thepresent application may provide may cost savings to standard methods ofwrapping pallets. First, no external power is needed to operate thewrapping apparatus saving on electricity. Also, the rolls of stretchwrap may be easily and quickly replaced on the wrapping apparatusoptimizing a user/operator's time so that more pallets may be wrapped inless time. Furthermore, no additional tools, such as a chair ladder,fork lift, or pallet jack, are needed to wrap an entire pallet of goodsallowing an entire pallet of goods to be wrapped regardless of the sizeof the pallet. Also, the wrapping apparatus is cost effective tomanufacture.

One or more of the components and functions illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and/or 12 may be rearranged and/or combinedinto a single component or embodied in several components withoutdeparting from the invention. Additional elements or components may alsobe added without departing from the invention.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in theaccompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments aremerely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, andthat this invention is not be limited to the specific constructions andarrangements shown and described, since various other modifications mayoccur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.

1. A wrapping apparatus, comprising: an elongated handle having a firstend and a second end; a retaining mechanism mounted on the elongatedhandle for securing a roll of material to the elongated handle, theretaining mechanism comprising: a first retaining member secured to thefirst end of the elongated handle; and a second retaining member securedto the second end of the elongated handle; a lock pin, inserted into theelongated handle adjacent to and contacting the first retaining memberfor securing the first retaining member to the elongated handle.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first end of the elongated handle isplaced next to a pallet allowing a user to wrap a bottom portion of thepallet without bending over.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefirst end of the elongated handle is placed onto the ground to assist auser in wrapping a pallet and the second end of the elongated handlefunctions as a gripping area for the user.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the first retaining member comprises: a sleeve; a washeradjacent to and contacting the sleeve, the washer having a centeropening sized to accommodate the elongated handle; and a retaining pinadjacent to and contacting the washer and inserted into the elongatedhandle for retaining the sleeve and washer on the elongated handle. 6.The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the sleeve comprises: an outer ringfor supporting a bottom end of the roll of material; and an inner ring,adjacent to and contacting the outer ring, adapted for insertion into anopening on the bottom end the roll of material to secure the sleeve tothe roll of material.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the secondretaining member comprises: a sleeve comprising: an outer ring forsupporting a bottom end of the roll of material; and an inner ring,adjacent to and contacting the outer ring, adapted for insertion into anopening on the bottom end the roll of material to secure the sleeve tothe roll of material; a first washer, adjacent to and contacting thesleeve, having a first center opening sized to accommodate the elongatedhandle; a first retaining pin adjacent to and contacting the washer andinserted into the elongated handle for holding the washer in place; anda spring mounted on the elongated handle directly adjacent to andcontacting the first washer for adjusting tension of the roll ofmaterial as it is dispensed.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein thesecond retaining member further comprises: a second washer mounted onthe elongated handle adjacent to and contacting the spring, the secondwasher having a second center opening sized to accommodate the elongatedhandle; and a removable pin inserted into the elongated handle adjacentto the second washer for retaining the spring and second washer on theelongated handle.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the removable pincomprises: an elongated member; and a locking mechanism having a firstend secured to a first side of the elongated member and a second endsecured to a second side of the elongated member.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 8, further comprising a cover mounted on the elongated handle overthe second retaining member, the cover having a lever for adjusting thetension in the spring wherein the tension in the spring is decreasedupon a user depressing the lever.
 11. A wrapping apparatus, comprising:an elongated handle including a first end and a second end; a retainingmechanism mounted on the elongated handle for securing a roll ofmaterial to the elongated handle, the retaining mechanism comprising: afirst retaining member secured to the first end of the elongated handle,the first retaining member comprising: a first sleeve; a first washeradjacent to and contacting the first sleeve, the first washer having afirst center opening sized to accommodate the elongated handle; and afirst retaining pin adjacent to and contacting the first washer andinserted into the elongated handle retaining the first sleeve and firstwasher on the elongated handle; a second retaining member secured to thesecond end of the elongated handle, the second retaining membercomprising: a second sleeve; a second washer, adjacent to and contactingthe second sleeve, having a second center opening sized to accommodatethe elongated handle; a second retaining pin adjacent to and contactingthe second washer and inserted into the elongated handle for retainingthe second washer; a spring mounted on the elongated handle directlyadjacent to and contacting the second washer for adjusting tension ofthe roll of material as it is dispensed.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11,further comprising a lock pin, inserted into the elongated handleadjacent to and contacting the first retaining member for securing thefirst retaining member to the elongated handle.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the second retaining member further comprises: a thirdwasher mounted on the elongated handle adjacent to and contacting thespring, the third washer having a third center opening sized toaccommodate the elongated handle; and a removable pin inserted into theelongated handle adjacent to the third washer for retaining spring andthird washer on the elongated handle.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13,wherein the removable pin comprises: an elongated member; and a lockingmechanism having a first end secured to a first side of the elongatedmember and a second end secured to a second side of the elongatedmember.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a covermounted on the elongated handle over the second retaining member, thecover having a lever for adjusting the tension in the spring wherein thetension in the spring is decreased upon the user depressing the lever.16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first end of the elongatedhandle is placed next to a pallet allowing a user to wrap a bottomportion of the pallet without bending over.
 17. The apparatus of claim11, wherein the first end of the elongated handle is placed onto theground to assist a user in wrapping a pallet and the second end of theelongated handle functions as a gripping area for the user.
 18. A methodof using a wrapping apparatus, comprising; placing a first end of thewrapping apparatus next to an object such that a roll of material isaligned with a bottom of the object, a user holding a second end of thewrapping apparatus; securing one end of the material to a corner of theobject; moving the wrapping apparatus around the object resulting in thematerial covering a part of the object; inverting the wrappingapparatus, when approximately half of the object has been covered by thematerial and continuing to move the wrapping apparatus around the objectto cover uncovered portions of the object; and tearing the materialwrapped around the object from the roll for securing to the object,thereby sealing the object.
 19. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising; inverting the wrapping apparatus upon reaching the top ofthe object with the material allowing a user to lift the wrappingapparatus to seal the top of the object with the material.
 20. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the object is on top of a pallet.